Well just hold me back – Led by You have only been shortlisted for a National Award – Third Sector Annual Awards, under the category of Best Annual Report.
I thought we were doing well to win accolades at local level but no, Led by You have just upped everyone’s game, by being shortlisted for this national award. This is testament to all the hard work and dedication from our Young Leaders and Trevor. I am truly proud of all you have achieved over the last year.
First can I thank Mark in Uni St for all his hard work on developing a Paper Lite system for workers to use. It is being piloted by Wellbeing Service and I think any initiative to make the paperwork less cumbersome is most welcome. Developing a new system is no mean feat and one which we fully appreciate the time and effort Mark has taken to get this off the ground (remember our early days of developing SPIN!).
Kieran is to be much congratulated for going over the call of duty and going well beyond the extra mile in organising our second football fundraising tournament. It must have taken hours of his own time to run such a successful event and shows true commitment and passion for MACS.
Christina from Lisburn Housing won much praise from another peer Drew in Newry Housing who took the time and effort to email Linda (Team Leader – Lisburn) to heap praise on how impressed he was with her. He said about her skills on the Journey Free Camp with young people
She was so good at building relationships with young people (even the young people she did not know from Newry), she made strong connections and I was in awe at her level of awareness and ability to throw herself into everything.
Sarah from Downpatrick sent me a lovely email in relation to a young person she has worked with over the last 2 years. Dillon was homeless with poor mental health. Two years on, with MACS support, he now has his own place, has got a daily routine going to the gym (I could do with some help in this area) is completing driving lessons and says himself he has never felt happier. Well done Dillon you are an inspiration to other young people.
Belfast Housing had an unannounced visit from RQIA and came away with another storming visit with just one recommendation.?
I had the opportunity to attend Trauma Training – well I wish I had done it 20 years ago as it really deepened my understanding of how childhood trauma is so pervasive and colours with such acuteness our young people’s behaviour as young adults. I spent the training day with workers from all over the organisation and the discussion and insight they displayed during the session was very reflective and mature.
As is the norm, there is loads going on in MACS – but I get a real sense of CHANGE in the air and all staff are actively looking at what we can do differently, pushing forward with new ideas with a great sense of energy and enthusiasm. Continuously we are trying to be creative and recognising that growth and development is vital if we are to continue to thrive both as an organisation but also to find satisfaction and meaning in our work.
Speaking of staff, I would like to welcome Karen our new Support Worker in Downpatrick, and Sharron our new Floating Support Mental Health Worker in Belfast, I would also like to welcome back from maternity leave Kathy, Sarah and Alison and extend a big congratulations to Andy in Admin on the arrival of his baby boy ?
